Californians will have the option to vote this November on whether to legalize sports betting.
American Indian tribes, licensed racing associations, state-licensed gambling establishments, and professional sports team leagues to offer sports betting. These entities would be allowed to offer online or mobile sports wagering.
A recent survey by UC Berkeley and the LA Times found that 45 percent of voters would support amending our state's constitution to allow sports betting; one-third say they're opposed, and 22 percent remain undecided.
The ballot initiative would tax the gross gaming revenue from sports wagering at 25 percent. Revenue from the tax would be deposited into a Sports Wagering Fund, and through legislation, be used to addresses issues related to homelessness, affordable housing, public education, and mental health.
A 1 percent tax will be levied in gross gaming revenue to fund problem gambling treatment, in addition to the 25 percent tax. Blackjack, card, and tile games would also be legalized at gambling establishments under the ballot measure.
As of July 2021, sports betting was legal or law to legalize had been approved in 30 states, including those bordering California, and are benefiting from the tax revenue. According to experts, the state could generate over $3 billion a year in sports betting revenue if voters legalize the practice.
Multiple attempts are ongoing to legalize sports betting in California. A proposed tribal initiative, the Tribal Sports Wagering Act, would allow in-person retail betting at land-based Indian casinos and horse racing tracks.
A fiscal analysis suggests the tribal initiative would increase revenue to the state by “tens of millions of dollars to mid-hundreds of millions of dollars” annually depending on adoption by the tribes.
Any California sports betting efforts have until June 25 to qualify for the ballot. The legalization of sports betting in California requires a constitutional amendment approved by voters.
